Smartsheet is a web 2.0-based project management and crowdsourcing applications that allow users to create, organize and track any type of work. In addition, Smartsheet allows creator’s user to comprehensively involve contributors through publicly-accessible and secure environment.

Here is an overview of Smartsheet:

What people said about Smartsheet?

According to USA TODAY, couple of companies are developing online services that handle tasks people usually carry out with desktop applications like those in the popular productivity suite. And at the Office 2.0 Conference, set to start in San Francisco on Wednesday, many of those companies will show off their latest productivity products.

One company, SmartSheet.com, is launching an upgrade to its online collaboration software, which is built around a hosted spreadsheet. rather than just simulate Excel in online form, the company is using familiar tools to make project management better.

What is the benefit of using office 2.o tools?

No need to download or install software.

Can run on thin clients with minimal hardware requirements.

Provide the ability for a group of people to share a document without the need to run their own server.

Office 2.0 services are portable. Users can access their documents from almost any computer with a connection to the Internet, regardless of which operating system they use.

If the user’s computer fails, the documents are still safely stored on the remote server. Online service providers’ backup processes and overall stability will generally be superior to that of most home systems.

However, there are some issues with office 2.0 tools compared with classic office programs :

Access requires connectivity: if the remote server or network is unavailable, the content will also be unavailable.

There are speed and accessibility issues. Most of the available online office suites require a high speed Internet connection. That can be a problem for users who are limited by a slower connection to the Internet.

The number of features available is an issue. Online office suites lack the more advanced features available on their offline counterparts.

There may be a subscription charge to use the service. In that case, in the long run, the ongoing subscription cost may be more expensive than purchasing offline software upfront.

The user has no control over the version of the software used. If the software is changed the user is forced to use the changed version, even if the changed version is less suited to the user.

The user is reliant on the service provider for security and privacy of their documents.

Personally.. I was looking for a free program to do Gantt chart that required for the university assignment, and as always there are programs that run on Windows not on Mac or vice versa. Eventually and After couple of google pages, I found Smartsheet which turned out to be exactly I am looking for

This is really a cool find. It’s exactly my MS Project in the web, not only that it is harnessing collective intelligence at its finest.

I understand that Smartsheet uses a spreadsheet-like interface on top of a work automation framework. But I have a question though, as a Project Management student, which one is this suited for a big company project or just a small-scale one?

Smart sheet is a great web 2.0 tool where as you mantioned that you could share your work with your team in the assignment or any project related to your work. i found it very useful because it gave you the tools to draw the Gantt Chart and at the same you could share it with others by a click of a button.
I would like to thank you because your blog did add a great knowldge which soon will by me more time.